There's a better way to buy a car than depending on a loan, especially if your credit isn't that hot. Answer these questions first:
1. How much cash do you have in your savings account right now?
2. How much can you reasonably afford to pay yourself to save for something better? If you can afford $200 per month then pay that to yourself.
Here's how it works: Buy a car using what you have in savings right now, even if it's a $1500 clunker off the lemon lot. In the meantime make those $200 payments to yourself by putting the money into a savings account. At the end of the year, sell that car and combine it with your $2400 (plus interest) and pay cash for an upgrade. Keep doing this and in several years you will be able to pay cash for a new car.
